jeanharville

Thanks to all of you for responding. In the future, I will certainly use most of these suggestions. This time I think the fusible stabilizer will do the trick.

carolaug

What a good idea! I just used some for under my applique and it really made a difference. prior I was using 506 spry to put on my applique but using the interfacing gave it the stability it needed.

quilterlaurie

I recently had this problem and to avoid further frustration I ironed a very light weight stabilizer to the fabric before I cut my pieces--worked very well for me

twinkie

I always use Pinking Shears on fabrics that fray. I was very lucky to find a pair of Gingher pinking shears at a yard sale for $5.00. They were in great shape.

Wonnie

What about Fray check?

tessagin

I forgot to finish my comment. I meant to finish with the glue would hold the fabric til it was stitched and quilted.

lclang

If it's fraying 1/4" just while you are handling it to sew it, DO NOT USE IT! It's gonna make you cry! After you put a lot of work into a quilt you don't want to see the seams fraying. Find another fabric or another color that will work.

katesnanna

You could try a light iron on interfacing.

cricket_iscute

I'd try fusible interfacing (light weight) on the back of the fabric. Most sewing machines also have overcast stitches that might work. Do a test.

nanabeth

Making 2 quilts for my granddaughters, I wanted to use bits of fabric from a quilt I'd made for my son ~35 years ago. His quilt had fallen apart (novice mistakes) and I'd saved some fabric. I worried that this old fabric wouldn't wear well, so before cutting the pieces, I ironed pieces onto very lightweight stabilizer. These small pieces are a bit heavier than the surrounding fabric but after sewing and quilting, there isn't a noticeable difference.